Cardinal to boycott independence day celebrations

The Catholic Church has declared that it will not be represented by the Archbishop of Colombo His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith at Independence day celebrations today (4) against the failure on the part of the government to punish those responsible for 2019 Easter Sunday attacks and the recent recovery of a hand grenade from All Saints Church, Borella. Archdiocese Communication Unit spokesperson Rev. Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando briefed the media regarding their action at a briefing yesterday.

Fr. Fernando said Cardinal Ranjith had decided to cancel the service he usually holds on Independence Day.

“We are disturbed as to why the caretaker of the church is being continuously detained despite the proof that he has nothing to do with the All Saints’ Church grenade issue. CCTV Camera footage has made it clear that this person has nothing to do with the grenade episode,” Fr. Fernando said.

All the other suspects except for the caretaker of the church were released recently.